Skip to main content

Full text of "1986 Vol. 4 2 Mar Apr Palmetto Partisan Jounal"

See other formats


* 


THE 
PALMETT® 

JEAJR.1  l&AIN 


South  Carolina  Division 
Sons  of  Confederate  Veterans 


3So  nou,  jsons  of  (ttonfrdrratr  Srtrrans, 
foe  foil!  submit  tfjr  bindicatinn  of  tt|e 
cause  for  fetich,  tot  fought.  tEo  jjour 
itrtngtfj  foil!  be  given  tlje  drfrnsr  of 
itge  Confederate  foiditr'i  good  name, 
%  guardianship  of  I]i*  hietorg." 

fit.  <8mir*l  ,Sttphfn  S.  Iff 
flenftdtritr  Sta!r«   of  Awrrita 


VOLUME  4 

NARCH/APRIL  1986 

NUMBER  2 

-«B».3- 

s    - 

"'^^P'^lpskW'k- 

17;,  '      -J 

:  1 

It           ^^fl       lii^L\W.  ^^H  H^H '  w'    '    ^B^^M 

■  ,■■ 

I      til 

f 

(|       I 

■ 

P 

■" ;.                 : 

HBP::    :2uai 

On  Ap-t^.  72,    79S6  Statu  Commanded  Jack  ManlaA  ojj  the  S.C.V.  and  U.V.C.    Vn.eii.dent 
M/ia.   Ray  Hunten  placed  a  ui/ieath  at  the  memotujil  to  Con{edexate  deiendeu,  o{,   fonJL 
SumteA.   1\um  czxemony  u)a&  conducted  by  Commanded  Van  Ravenel  {on  le^t)   o$  the 
CkaAZeAton  Camp  duAlng  commemo/iation  orf  the  125th  anniueA&aAy  o<$  the  {ifijLna  on  Vont 
Sumtet,   and  uia6  In  conjunction  with  the  State  Convention  oh  the  S.C.V.   A  xepofit  on 
wrixc.fi  -co  contained  within. 

CAMP  NEWS 


A  digest  o£  dUpatckeMr 
lnom  the.  iWbi, 


Anderson  -  The  March  meeting  consis- 
ted of  a  program  brought  by  Lt.  Cmdr.  Dr. 
Hugh  Vincent  on  Johnson  Haygood   and  his 
brigade  the  ljrt  S.C.  Infantry.  DtVincent 
had  five  great-great-uncles  in  Co.  F  of 
Haygoods  Brigade,  and  his  great -grandmotfier 
made  the  flag  for  Battery  Wagner  on  Morris 
Island  where  the  brigade  was  stationed  for 
a  time. 

A  later  war  was  the  topic  at  the  Ap- 
ril meeting  when  Major  Jerry  Wilson  of  Iva 
spoke  on  Vietnam.  A  native  of  Lancaster  he 
retired  after  21  years  as  a  Marine  flyer. 
He  is  credited  with  the  second  highest  kill 
ratio  of  all  pilots  in  that  war. 

Mjr.  Wilson  flew  215  missions  and  per- 
formed what  must  be  the  most  incredible 
feat  of  the  war  -  he  dropped  a  bomb  down  a 
well  not  once  but  twice.  The  Vietcong  had 
been  using  the  well  as  a  tunnel  entrance. 

Camden  -  At  a  meeting  on  March  18  Lt . 
Comdr.  Cullen  Capehart  presented  a  progiam 
on  the  WBTS  Medical  Service.  His  presen  - 
tation  was  limited  due  to  time  and  he  may 
make  an  encore. 

The  camp  also  met  April  15  with  a  pro- 
gram arranged  by  Cmdr.  Capehart.  The  camp 
also  organized  a  living  history  display 
during  the  Palmetto  Balloon  Classic,  May 
2-4  in  historic  Camden.  They  have  also  pre 
pared  a  display  for  the  local  archives. 

Charleston  -  The  April  meeting  was 
held  at  the  home  of  Compatriot  Paul 
Trouche  ni ,  on  Broad  St.  Cpt.  Robert  Klumb 
gave  an  excellent  talk  on  the  Conf,  Signal 
Corps . 

May  10  the  camp  met  for  Memorial  Day. 

Columbia  -  Cpt.  Thaddeus  Raines,  one 
of  the  camps  Real  Sons,  provided  the  pro- 
gram during  the  meeting  in  the  Clariosophtc 
Hall  at  U.S.C.. 

The  Anglo-Saxon  and  Celtic  heritage 
of  the  South  was  the  subject  in  May  when 
Mr .  Ed  Thomas  spoke . 


Ujmmq  hurfmy  on  GnzeymMeA  HztuXage.  Gnzm. 


Florence  -  In  may  Dr.  James  Daniels  Pres. 
of  Coker  College,  gave  an  outstanding  presen- 
tation on  the  causes  of  the  war  and  discussed 
the  institution  of  slavery  and  its  influence 
on  the  South  and  the  nation,  in  the  years  be- 
fore the  war. 

Bob  Stevens  of  Darlington  presented   a 
program  centered  around  the  notes  he  inheri- 
ted from  his  ancestor  Captain  William  Henry 
Edwards  who  was  a  company  Commander  in  the 
17th  Regiment,  S.C.  Volunteers.  He  traced  the 
history  of  the  17th  and  reviewed  information 
in  the  books  he  has  completed  and  is  current- 
ly working  on. 

Greenville  -  In  March  Cpt.  Al  Stokes   of 
the  Palmetto  Sharpshooters  visited  and  gave 
an  insightful  talk  on  the  way  Southern  hist- 
ory is  presented  in  the  states  textbooks. 

At  the  April  meeting  Professor  from  Bob 
Jones  University  spoke  on  "Southern  Warriors: 
The  Christianity  of  the  Men  Who  Wore  the  Gray" 
His  talk  told  how  the  religious  conviction  of 
the  Southern  soldier  gave  him  "dying  grace", 
and  "produced  fearless  warriors." 

The  16th  Regiment  also  presented  a  living 
history  during  Greenvilles  300th  anniversary 
celebration.  During  this  time  the  camp  dis- 
tributed over  500  pamphlets  about  the  S.C.V. 


*jyQUR  CONFEDERATE  ANCESTOR 


LeJ>£  we.  io/iQzt. 


1 


NatlujineX.  AuA  tx.nt    I7_  -  Great-great-great- 
great  Uncle  of  John  Dobbins  of  the  Palmetto 
Sharp  Shooters  Camp  in  Anderson.  Nathaniel 
Austin  was  a  Lieutenant  in  Co.  E.,  14  S.C. 
Infantry.  On  the  second  day  of  the  Battle  of 
Gettysburg,  he  was  mortally  wounded  and  was 
removed  from  the  field  to  a  hospital  where 
he  died  a  few  days  later.  Twenty,  or  more, 
years  later  the  owner  of  a  farm  near  the  bat- 
tlefield advertised  in  a  Charleston  newspaper 
that  the  body  of  Dr.  Nathaniel  Austin,  with 
those  of  a  number  of  other  South  Carolinians 
had  been  located  and  would  be  shipped  to  re- 
latives so  desiring.  His  body  was  returned 
to  his  native  state  and  buried  at  Charleston, 
South  Carolina, 

Lt.  Austin  was  the  son  of  Walter  Manning 
Austin  of  Greenville  Co..  His  grandfather, 
Nathaniel  Austin,  Jr.  was  Quartermaster  Sgt. 
in  the  Little  River  Regiment  commanded  by 

ol .  James  Williams  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

is  great-grandfather,  Nathaniel  Austin,  I, 
was  a  Captain  of  an  Infantry  Company  in  Gen- 
eral Pickens  Brigade  in  the  Revolution. 

Nathaniel  Austin  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  in  what  is  now  Greenville  Co.  coming 
from  Virginia  in  1761. 

Lt .  Austin  was  a  medical  doctor  having 
received  his  formal  medical  training  at  the 
Medical  College  of  Charleston.  He  was  married 
to  Laura  Camilla  Barksdale  of  Laurens  Co.  on 
April  25,  1861.   One  son,  Walter  Nathaniel 
Austin  was  born  to  them. 


WIZtia/n  Robz/it  SzaiMtu.qkt   -  Great-  great- 
great-great  Uncle  of  John  Dobbins,  Seawright 
enrolled  in  the  Confederate  Army  on  March  7, 
1862  at  Camp  Morrison,  Paulding  Co.,  Georgia, 
in  the  town  of  Dallas.  The  next  day  he  was 
elected  Captain  of  the  Company.  The  unit  was 
originally  known  as  Captain  Seawright 's  Com- 
pany, Lt.  Col.  Morrisons  Battalion  of  Geor£a 
Cavalry.  Later,  it  was  changed  to  Co.  D,  First 
Regiment  of  Georgia  Volunteers,  Cavalry  Crew"s 
Brigade,  Allen's  Division,  Wheeler's  Corps, 
Army  of  the  Tennessee.  It  was  organized  as 
such  on  May  28,  1862.  Captains  Seawright' s 
career  in  the  Confederate  Army  was  cut  short 
some  45  days  after  this  organization;  as  he 
is  listed  as  being  killed  in  action  on  July  13 
1862  at  Murfreesboro,  Tennessee. 


Captain  Seawright  was  born  in  1832  in 
Abbeville  Co.,  the  son  of  Andrew  and  Sarah 
Jane  Gilmer  Seawright. 

Seawright 's  great-grandfather,  James 
Stevenson  of  Abbeville  ,  served  as  a  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant  in  the  Little  River  Volun- 
teer Militia  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  He 
was  also  a  Captain  under  General  Frances 
Marion  in  1781  -  1782. 


ETCETERA 


As  we  go  to  press  Com.  Jack  Marlar  has 
announced  that  a  new  camp  is  being  chartered 
in  Lancaster,  South  Carolina.  The  camp  will 
be  named  for  Witherspoon  Barns  a  Colonel  in 
the  Confederate  Army  and  a  member  of  the 
Confederate  States  Congress. 

The  compatriots  plan  to  meet  on  the  ttiri 
tuesday  of  every  month,  at  the  Western  Siz- 
ziling  on  the  By-pass  in  Lancaster. 

The  official  Charter  should  be  issued 
sometime  in  June  or  July.  For  more  informa- 
tion contact  Terry  Gardener  or  W.C.Carnes  at 
285  -  5183. 


All  Compatriots  are  reminded  that  the 
Palmetto  Sharpshooters  Camp  No.  1428  will 
be  having  Wilson  Orr  Speak  on  the  Battle 
of  Gettysburg.  This  the  camps  prime  meet- 
ing of  the  year.  The  meeting  will  take 
place  in  Anderson.  For  more  information 
and  for  ticket  reservations  contact  Dan 
Snipes  at  261  -  6660. 


STATE  CONVENTION 


** 


CHARLESTON,  S.C- 

The  annual  convention  of  the 
South  Carolina  Division  of  the 
Sons  of  Confederate  Veterans 
convened  on  April  12,  In  the  126th 
year  since  secession.  The 
convention  assembled  at  the 
Charleston  Yacht  Club  in 
Charleston,  South  Carolina,  and 
was  hosted  by  the  officers  and 
gentlemen  of  the  Fort  Sumter 
Camp. 

Commander  Daniel  Ravens  I, 
serving  as  presiding  officer, 
called  the  convention  to  order  and 
called  on  Father  James  Bach  to 
deliver  the  Invocation, 
Presentation  of  the  colors  was 
conducted  by  the  Ball  Batton 
Company  -  Color  Guard  Washington 
Light  Infantry,  The  conventioneers 
then  pledge  allegiance  to  the 
flags  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  the  sovereign  state  of 
South  Carolina,  and  the 
Confederate  States  of  America,  and 
sang  one  verse  of  "Dixie", 

Commander  Ravenel  welcomed 
Mrs.  Ray  Hunter,  State  President 
of  the  United  Daughters  of  the 
Confederacy,  as  the  convention's 
honored  guest.  He  then  called  for 


VhsmiLwq  Q^faiceA.  VamzL  VamwL 


messages  and  reports.  At  this  time 
compatriot  Dfnty  Moore  of  the 
16th  S.C,  Reenactment  read  the 
minutes  of  the  last  meeting.  As 
there  were  no  additions  or 
corrections  the  chair  ruled  them 
correct  as  read.  The  convention 
then  heard  a  representative  from 
each  camp  report  on  the  activities 
of  their  respective  camps.  This 
proved  to  be  a  good  opportunity 
for  delegates  to  learn  about 
activities  of  other  camps  and  also 
get  some  good  ideas  to  take  back 
with  them.  Mrs.  Hunt  then  brought 
greetings  from  the  U.D.C.  and 
addressed  the  convention 
concerning  the  "daughters" 
activities. 

Jack  E.  Marlar,  State 
Commander  of  the  Sons  of 
Confederate  Veterans,  delivered 
the  State  of  the  State  address 
saying  that  the  division  was 
healthy  and  growing.  State 
Commander  of  the  Military  Order  of 
the  Stars  and  Bars  Ed  Crosby 
reported  during  his  State  of  the 
State  address  that  the  M.O.S.B. 
was  becoming  more  active  and  had 
severa  I  good  prospects  for  new 
camps  In  the  state. 

"Palwetto  Partisan"  editor 
Bill  Cross  reported  on  the 
progress  of  this  publication 
noting  that  It  has  been  twice 
awarded  by  the  National 
organization.  Mr,  Cross  was 
roundly  congratulated  by  the 
assembly  for  his  efforts, 

"Progressing  slowly  but 
surely"  was  how  Jim  Fox  described 
the  work  the  Regimental  Histories 
Book  Committee,  This  project, 
which  is  chaired  by  Mr.  Fox,  will 
provide  a  lasting  testimony  of 
those  South  Carolinians  who  served 
the  cause  of  Southern 
Independence,  The  Save  the  Flag 
Committee,  which  is  charged  with 
actively  supporting  the  display  of 


the  Confederate  flag  (especially 
over  the  Capitol  Dome),  is  without 
a  committee  chairman  and  Commander 
Marlar  asked  for  a  volunteer  to 
take  up  this  important  duty. 

When  new  business  was  called 
for  compatriot  Earl  Barnett, 
Commander  of  the  16th  S.C, 
Regiment  made  a  motion  which  would 
require  the  "Palmetto  Partisan"  to 
publish  the  State  Division 
Financial  Report,  After  a  brief 
discussion  the  motion  was  ruled 
accepted  by  acclamation. 

Compatriot  W.  C.  Smith  and 
M.O.S.B.  Commander  Ed  Crosby  were 
honored  during  the  convention.  Joe 
Taylor  of  the  Maxcy  Gregg  Chapter 
presented  both  of  the  gentlemen 
with  certificates  Issued  by  the 
Commander-in-Chief.  ^^ 

The  convention's  attenti. 
then  turned  to  the  election  of 
officers.  First  to  be  considered 
was  the  office  of  State  Commander. 
The  meeting  was  opened  for 
nominations  with  J.  J.  Mahoney 
nominating  Jack  Marlar  for  another 
term.  W,  C,  Smith  was  nominated  by 
Job  Taylor, 

Each  candidate  was  given  the 
opportunity   to   speak   to   the 


** 


It.  Camwri&i  Ow/t£&6  E.  BoamOl 


-> 


V<lL<lqoX<U   <zJL<lclZ 


assembly  for  five  minutes.  Mr. 
Marlar  cited  his  record  of  service 
as  State  Commander  and  especially 
his  leadership  of  the  opposition 
to  the  National  Headquarters  site 
of  Franklin,  Tennessee.  Mr.  Smith 
called  for  a  return  to  the 
organization's  constitution  and 
for  a  non-consecutive  two-year 
term  for  state  officers.  He 
further  ca I  led 
Commanders  to  be 
than  appointed. 

After  the  speeches  Mr, 
Ravenel  announced  that  voting 
would  be  according  to  the  National 
Electoral  System  with  each  camp 
casting  one  vote  for  every  ten 
registered   members.    The    delegates 


for         Brigade 
elected     rather 


were  then  given  a  fifteen  minute 
conference  period. 

When  the  conference  period 
had  expired  and  the  convention  re- 
called to  order  the  vote  was 
taken.  Jack  Marlar  was  re-elected 
with  twenty-six  votes  to  five 
votes   for  W.  C.   Smith. 

For  the  office  of  l_t. 
Commander,  W.  C.  Smith  nominated 
Charles  E,  Barnett  and  Raphael 
Jones  was  nominated  by  his 
compatriots  in  the  Fort  Sumter. 
The  delegates  were  again  given  a 
fifteen  minute  conference  period. 
After  the  re-call  to  order  the 
vote  was  taken.  Mr.  Barnett  was 
elected  with  seventeen  votes  to 
fourteen   votes   for  Mr.    Jones. 


In  unrelated  business  the 
presiding         officer  recognized 

Thaddeus  Raines  as  the  only  Real 
Son  at  the  convention.  He  also 
recognized  Mr.  Earl  Crawford  of 
the  Texas-based  Confederate  Air 
Force  (a  group  which  files  WWII 
era  combat  aircraft),  and 
encouraged  them  to  "fly-by"  the 
National  Convention  in  Columbia, 
S.C.    In    1988. 

After  lunch  Mr.  jack  Leland, 
esquire,  delivered  a  spirited 
lecture  on  the  Gullah  traditions 
of  Charleston,  All  other  business 
concluded,  the  convention 

concluded  sine   die. 


Joe.  Tayton  [cwtesi]  pMAwU  (XAtl&iarteA  to  W.C.Smtih  {teft.)  owi.  Ed  Owby. 


Southern  Heritage  Day 

& 

Battle  of  Owens  Farm 

Saturday,  June  14,  1986 


V  dtuffaitkt  whole  fauhf  ifrimjuj" 


Southern  Arts,  Crafts,  Antiques,  Collectibles,  Food,  . 

Historic  &.  Geneologica!  Groups,  War  Between 

The  States  Reenactors,  Living  History  Camps,  &.  Two 


i:  .--..  p,_i.,.  „ii 

•  tjiui  y    d-'dik4i.j   ail 


tnc  setting  Oi  a  t_,irca 


1820  Plantation. 


Date  &  Time*: 

Gates  will  open  June  14,  1986  at  9:00  AM  and  close  at 

4:00  PM.  Admission  $1.00,  children  under  six  FREE. 

Location: 

From  Columbia  follow  Hwy  215  toward  Monricello.  Take 
Hwy  269  toward  Winnsboro  and  follow  the  signs  to  Road 
54. 


J 


Skirmish: 

A  reenactment  of  Bank  at  Owens'  Farm  will  be  performed 
by  the  units  attending. 

Drill* 

Infantry  &.  artillery  will  perform  drills  throughout  the  day. 
An  award  will  be  presented  to  the  most  authentic  re- 
enacrrnent  unit. 

Raffle: 

A  drawing  will  be  held  for  an  authentic  War  Between  the 
States  Enfield  Rifle.  Tickets  will  be  available  prior  to 
drawing. 

Sale: 

A  variety  of  relics  and  codec  tables  will  be  for  sale  as  well  asa 
booth  specializing  in  War  Between  the  States  era  paintings 
and  prints. 

Exhibits: 

There  will  be  exhibits  of  War  Between  the  States  era  relics 

and  collectables  by  several  collectors  and  museums. 


Sponsored  by: 

Sons  of  Confederate  Veterans 

Wade  Hampton  Camp     273 

and 

Military  Order  of  The  Stars  &  Bars 
Maxey  Gregg  Chapter 


Lord  Manor  Plantation 


N 


-»-E 


S 


CAMDEN  S-' 


RIDGEWAY 


2  Miles  South  of  213  on 
Road  54 

54  Mile  North  of  Road  70  on 
Road  54 


For  Information,  write  to: 


124  Cornish  Way 
Lexington,  SC    29072 


GENERAL  ORVERS 

by  Com.  Jack  E.  Matitex 


14  Sooth.eA.Ki  keJuXagz.  doomed  "* 

to  dJj>appza/i  ajiZo  the.  mau) 
o<)  the.  AmzAA.ca.Yi  moJJJjio  pot. 


There  is  good  and  bad  happening  in  re- 
gard to  our  efforts  to  preserve  accuracy 
in  Southern  history.  "North  and  South"  was 
not  enough  to  kick  us  with  so  we're  getting 
another  dose  -  "North  and  South  H1.' 

Without  getting  into  a  whole  disser- 
tation on  the  "damnyankee-hollywood"  type 
people  let  us  observe  what  someone  from  a 
different  country  had  to  say  about  a  seven 
week  visit  to  the  U.S.  This  past  summer  I, 
and  many  others  in  the  S.C.V.  and  P.L.A., 
had  the  pleasure  and  honor  to  meet  Mr. 
Donald  Jordan  of  the  Confederate  High  Com- 
mand in  England.  He  was  more  than  taken  by 
our  Southern  hospitality  and  the  battle  re- 
enactments.  I  am  including  his  editorial 
from  their  Newsletter;  youshould  reflect 
upon  it  at  length. 

Do  you  not  agree  that  we  must  speak 
out,  write  letters,  get  involved  and  act- 
ively recruit  new  members  or  the  concept 
of  truth  in  Southern  history  is  doomed? 
The  obligation  is  ours"  because  we  are 
Americans;  more  dutifully  Southern  Ameri- 
cans. If  we  do  not  heed  the  call  you  may 
rest  assured  that  no  one  else  will!  You  m 
know  the  old  saying  "It  is  not  necessary 
to  oppose  Southern  history,  just  do  nothi 
the  liberals  will  do  it  for  you."  What  ar< 
ou  going  to  do  this  year?  I  invite  your 
comments. 

The  following  is  an  excerpt  from  an 
editorial  by  Mr.  Donald  Jordan.     A 


Only  one  thing  marred  an  otherwise  per- 
fect trip,  and  that  was  the  slanted  view 
of  history  presented  by  some  of  the  persor 
nel  of  the  National  Park  Service.  At  Harp- 
ers Ferry  the  visitor  was  left  in  no  doubt 
that  John  Brown  was  a  crusading  angel  or 
something  fairly  close  to  it.  At  Gettys- 
burg; on  the  National  Cemetery  tour  we 
were  informed  that  "the  South  had  started 
the  War  and  was  responsible  for  the  deaths 
of  thousands  of  Americans:"  The  Valley  of 
Death  tour  yielded  heroic  details  of  all 


Union  units  involved,  but  when  one  brave 
soul  asked  about  the  Confederates  he  was 
directed  to  a  nearby  sign.  Slides  and  tapes 
on  sale  in  the  Visitors  Center  contained 
references  to  Andersonville  but  made  no 
mention  of  the  numerous  Northern  horror 
camps. 

One  can  only  wonder  how  long  the  gallant 
efforts  of  the  U.D.C.,  S.C.V.  and  M.O.S.B. 
can  prevail  against  the  steady  tide  of  mis- 
information. Is  Southern  heritage  doomed 
to  disappear  forever  into  the  maw  of  the 
American  melting  pot,  to  be  sadly  rembered 
by  only  a  few  eccentric  groups  scattered 
throughout  the  world? 


*"* 


EVUORS  HOTE 


In  order  to  give  Bill  Cross  some  time  to 
tend  to  certain  personal  affairs  I  have,  for 
the  present,  accepted  the  responsibility  of 
editing  the  "Palmetto  Partisan".  Therefore, 
any  problems  or  complaints  with  the  next 
few  editions  you  may  lay  at  my  feet. 

I  hope  that  I  can  continue  the  high 
standards  set  by  Compatriot  Cross.  I  await 
your  comments  and  suggestions. 


In  the  service  of  the  South, 
Christopher  M.  Sullivan 


T 


KERSHAW     PART  I 


'The.  &a£al  i>ptilng  o&   1S64  biUngA. 
lum  many  hounb  oi  high  hazcuid. 


~t 


Col.  Kershaw  was  given  charge 
of,  and  later  cortmand  of.  Gen. 
Bonham's  Brigade.  When  Gen. 
Bonhant  resigned  to  become  Governor" 
of  S.  C.  Kershaw  was  promoted  to 
Brigadier  General.  As  a  result  of 
this  move,  and  the  many  excellent 
results  of  his  leadership,  the 
Brigade  became  known  as  Kershaw's 
Brigade,  The  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia  was  immediately 
challenged  by  the  Federals  at 
Manassas.  The  Confederates  met 
this  challenge  with  the  same 
tenacity  they  were  to  exhibit 
throughout  the  war. 

Being  neither  a  graduate  of  a 
military  school  nor  a  professional 
soldier,  promotions  were 
difficult.  However,  in  1864, 
after  commanding  McLaws'  old 
division  for  a  year,  Kershaw  was 
promoted  to  Major  General. 

Evan  to  the  objective  and 
fair  historian,  it  is  easily 
apparent  that  Gen,  Kershaw  and 
his  men  were  highly  regarded  and 
respected  by  most  of  their 
contemporaries,  associates  and 
commanding  officers.  Generals 
Lee,  Longstreet,  McLaws,  Gregg, 
Jackson,  Early,  Beauregarde,  Hill, 
Ewell,  Stuart,  Anderson,  Hampton, 
Hood,  Jenkins,  Fltz-Lee,  Gordon, 
Pickett,  W.  H.  Fltz-Lee,  Pegram, 
Field,  Custis  Lee  and  others 
regarded  him  and  his  command  as  a 
strong  arm  of  the  army. 

After  Manassas,  Kershaw's 
command  took  a  prominent  and 
important  part  of  some  or  all  of 
the  following  engagements  (not 
listed  chronologically):  the 
Peninsula,  Savage  Station,  Fair 
Oaks,  Williamsburg,  Yorktown, 
Seven  Pines,  Seven  Days,  Harper's 
jpBk  Ferry,  Maryland  Heights, 
Sharpsburg  (Antletam),  Gettysburg, 
Fredericksburg,  Second  Manassas, 
Chancel lorsvl I le,  Wilderness, 
Spottsylvanla,  Drurys  Bluff,  Cold 


Harbor,  Winchester,  Cedar  Creek, 
Salem  Church,  Chickamauga, 
Missionary  Ridge,  Knoxville, 
defensive  campaigns  around 
Richmond  and  Petersburg  (The 
Crater),  the  retreat  towards 
Appomatox,  Saylers  Creek  and 
surrender  in  April  1865.  (Each  of 
these  engagements  has  a  thrilling 
story, ) 

At  Saylers  Creek,  four  miles 
from  Appomatox,  a  large  gap 
occurred  between  Gordon's  forces 
and  those  of  Kershaw,  Ewell  and 
Custis  Lee.  The  Federals, 
following  closely  in  large  masses, 
took  quick  advantage  and  over-ran 
the  depleted  Confederates, 
completely  surrounding  these 
generals  and  their  staffs. 
Kershaw  chose  a  Federal  corporal 
to  lead  him  to  Gen.  George 
Custer's  (cavalry)  headquarters, 
Custer  accepted  the  surrender 
graciously  and  invited  Kershaw  to 
share  his  open  quarters.  Kershaw 
and  his  son  John,  who  later  had  a 
long  and  illustrious  career  as 
rector  of  St.  Michael's,  were 
transferred  to  Fort  Warren,  a  war 
prison  in  Boston  Harbor,  where  he 
remained  until  August  1865.  Upon 
Kershaw's  release,  he  returned  to 
Camden  via  Baltimore,  He  was 
reunited  with  his  family  at  long 
last,  but  under  economic  and 
political  conditions  which  would 
have  strained  a  Moses,  However, 
he  immediately  set  about  with 
other  associates  to  help  with  the 
tremendous  job  of  trying  to 
maintain  representative  government 
In  the  State,  in  the  face  of  the 
imposition  of  military  rule  by  the 
Federal  Government. 

Kershaw  was  elected  to  the 
S.C,  Senate  in  1865  and  In  1867, 
was  President  Pro  Tempore  and  was 
a  trustee  of  the  University  of 
South  Carolina,  However,  the 
Insidious  Black  Days  of  Federal 


Retribution  came  upon  the  state 
and  a  majority  of  once-prominent 
citizens  were  disenfranchised. 
Kershaw  was  chairman  of  the 
Democratic  Party  and  was  a 
candidate  for  the  U.S.  Congress 
in  1874,  but  was  defeated  In  a 
questionable  Federally  supervised 
election. 

However,  during  this  post-war 
period,  better  known  as 
Reconstruction,  Kershaw,  Gen,  J, 
0.  Kennedy,  W,  M,  Shannon  and 
James  Chesnut,  Jr.,  working 
together  with  other  Camden  men. 
Wade  Hampton  of  Columbia  and  many 
others  of  the  state,  were  most 
Instrumental  in  finally  getting  a 
toehold  in  the  government  of  South 
Carolina,  and  in  leading  the  state 
back  to  a  very  loose 
interpretation  of  "normalcy". 

Joseph  B.  Kershaw  was  elected 
Judge  of  the  5th  Circuit  in  1877 
and  served  until  1893.  His  record 
on  the  bench  reflected  the  same 
regard  he  always  had  for  Law, 
Principle,  Morals  and  Rights,  His 
community  and  state  respected  him 
and  many  loved  and  revered  him. 
When  he  died  in  1894  the  people 
turned  out  en  mass  to  mourn  at  his 
funeral. 

He  was  buried  at  Grace 
Church,  and  since  he  was  a  beloved 
past  State  Grand  Master  of  Masons, 
the  Kershaw  Lodge  No.  29 
participated  at  the  graveside 
service  which  included  a 
magnificent  eulogy.  This  is  the 
same  Lodge  which  now  owns  the 
beautiful  and  historic  Mills  Court 
House,  and  has  been  continuously 
active  since  Its  founding. 

Herein  is  given  a  few  bare 
facts  about  a  very  few  of  the 
Incidents  and  events  in  this  man's 
life,  each  of  which  would  be  a 
story  in  Itself.  He  held  In  high 
regard  the  people  with  whom  he 
(continued  on  back  page) 


GREEA/t/TLLE  CAMP 
SPONSORS  CONTEST 


GEENVILLE,  S.C.- 

For  the  second  consecutive 
year  the  16th  S.C.  Regiment 
(Greenville  Camp  1268)  has 
sponsored  a  Southern  Heritage 
Essay  Contest.  This  contest  is 
open  to  high  school  students  in 
Greenville  County,  Winners 
received  trophies  and  U.S. 
Savings  Bonds. 

The  contest  was  started  a 
year  ago  as  a  way  to  encourage 
students  to  Intelligently  consider 
the  War  Between  the  States  and  its 
concurrent  imp  I  I  cat  ions  for  the 
South  and  for  Southerners.  It  has 
also  provided  the  Q-eenville  Camp 
with  "a  highly  visible  influence 
in  the  community"  according  to 
Camp  Commander  Earl  Barnett, 

January  1  was  selected  as  the 
starting  date  for  the  contest  in 
order  to  coincide  with  classroom 
study  of  the  war  which  is  during 
the  second  semester  of  American 
History.  The  finishing  date  was 
April  2.  This  gave  the  students 
plenty  of  time  to  research  the 
subject  while  allowing  the 
committee  enough  time  to  judge  the 
essays  before  the  presentation  of 
awards. 

The  contest  was  managed  by  a 
committee  of  three  camp 
volunteers.  They  established  the 
rules  and  judging  criteria, 
authorized  the  judges  and  selected 
the  topics.  In  this  year's  contest 
the  committee  picked  three 
subjects  for  the  students  to  use 
as  a  thesis.  They  were  as  fol lows: 
the  Confederate  Government  and 
International  Relations,  a 
Battlefield  History  of  the  16th 
S.C,  Regiment  and  Causes  of  the 
War  Between  the  States.  By  having 
more  than  one  topic  a  student  can 
pick  a  subject  closer  to  his 
personal  interest  and  it  also 
reduces  the  problem  of  several 


students  having  to  share  the  same 
reference  material. 

The  contest  was  open  to  a  I  I 
high  school  students  in  Greenville 
County.  This  included  students  in 
private  schools  as  well  as 
students  in  government  schools. 
However,  before  the  School 
District  of  Greenville  County 
would  allow  the  camp  to  promote 
this  contest  to  its  students  It 
was  required  to  submit  a  form 
stating  all  the  pertinent 
Information.  This  in  turn  had  to 
be  considered  by  a  select 
committee  of  the  school  district 
personnel.  While  this  process  was 
time  consuming  it  hart  to  be  done. 

After     receiving     the 

permission  of  the  school  district 
the  next  step  was  to  disseminate 
the  information  to  the  teachers 
who  could  in  turn  announce  it  to 
the  students.  In  the  government 
schools  this  was  accomplished  by 
delivering  the  necessary  number  of 
copies  of  the  Information  sheets 
to  the  Social  Studies  Coordinator, 
Mrs,  Jane  Satter field.  According 
to  contest  chairman  Chris 
Sullivan,  Mrs.  Satterfield  was 
instrumental  In  the  success  of  the 
contest.  In  the  case  of  the 
private  and  parochial  schools  the 
committee  mailed  each  of  them  the 
information  along  with  a  letter 
explaining  the  contest  and  its 
purpose. 

In  addition  to  this  a  local 
computer  firm  -  Southern  Data 
Systems,  Inc.  -  donated  time  on  a 
word  processor  which  the  committee 
used  to  send  personalized  letters 
to  teachers.  Every  teacher  who  had 
a  student  participate  the  previous 
year  was  encouraged  to  rto  so 
again.  All  others  were  reminded  of 
the  contest  and  asked  to  emphasize 
it  to  their  students. 


The  awards  tor  the  contest 
were  as  follows:  first  place 
received  an  engraved  Carolina  Cup 
and  a  one-hunrireri-f [fty  dollar 
Savings  Bond;  second  place 
received  a  one-hundred  dollar 
Savings  Bond  and  an  engraved 
Jefferson  Cup;  and  third  place 
received  an  engraved  Jefferson  Cup 
and  a  fifty  dollar  Savings  Bond. 
In  planning  the  contest  the 
comm 1 ttee  a  I  so  recogn I  zed  that  the 
teacher  would  be  an  important 
influence  on  the  students' 
decision  to  participate.  So,  this 
year  the  Camp  prov  i  ded  an  extra 
bonus  by  offering  to  pay  fifty 
dollars  to  the  History  department 
of   the   winner's   school. 

By  extending  an  awarrt  to  the 
school  the  contest  got  better  ""~ 
publicity  and  also  provided  the 
entrants  with  the  opportunity  to 
compete  for  their  school  as  well 
as  for  themselves.  With  the 
constraints  on  most  school  budgets 
this  prize  money  is  a  significant 
Inducement  for  the  teacher  to 
encourage  -  and  In  some  cases  even 
to  require  -students  to 
part  iclpate. 

After  all  the  entries  had 
been  received  the  committee  then 
sorted  the  papers  removing  those 
which  had  particularly  egregious 
errors.  At  this  point  the 
committee  was  not  concerned  with 
style  or  substance  but  with  the 
technicalities  of  the  essay.  The 
papers  which  survived  this  cut 
were  then  submitted  for  judging. 
It  was  at  this  point  that  the 
papers  were  considered  for  their 
originality  of  approach  and  depth 
of  research. 

Out  of  twenty-seven  entries  ^^ 
from  six  different  high  schools 
the  judging  panel  selected  three 
prize  winners.  According  to 
Mr,  Sullivan,  "there  were  several 
very  good  papers.  However,  there 


TfieAe  cjinnot  be  a.  monz. 

JunpoKtanZ  batttz.Qfioa.nd  ion. 

Southern  hl6ton.y  than  the. 

claA4n.oomt>  oi  qua  Atate.. 


') 


were   also   several   very   bad 
ones.". 

For  Instance,  one  student 
apparently  became  confused  between 
the  Confederate  States  of  America 
and  the  Articles  of  Confederation 
and  wote  that  "the  Confederate 
Government  was  not  a  tota I 
failure.  It  established  a  new 
nation  and  it  held  together  for 
nearly  a  decade,".  Another 
essayist  felt  that  "The  North 
sustained  its  people  better  than 
the  South.".  He  also  claimed  that 
without  slavery  the  South  was 
"nothing"  and  that  "Ironically, 
our  country  has  prospered  every 
(sic)  since  slavery  was 
abolished.".  In  a  paper  citing 
slavery  as  the  cause  of  the  War, 
the  student's  thesis  was  supported 
by  a  hideous  portrayal  of  stave 
life.  To  wit,  "The  slaves  were 
badly  treated.  Some  slaves  were 
forced  to  separate  from  their 
family  (sic).  Most  staves  worked 
all  day  on  the  field.  If  they  mess 


(sic)  up  or  do  (sic)  something 
wrong,  they  would  get  whipped  or 
beaten.  Sometimes  they  would  be 
beaten  for  no  reason.  They  were 
also  poorly  taken  care  of.  Some 
lived  in  a  crowded  mud  house  with 
only  one  room,  and  some  were 
barely  fed  and  had  to  wear  about 
one  or  two  sets  of  clothes  for 
years.". 

Finally,  one  student  proved 
that  his  ignorance  of  history  was 
exceeded  only  by  his  ignorance  of 
current  events  when  he  cited  the 
Emancipation  Proclamation  as 
being  Lincoln's  "greatest  speech" 
and  concluded  by  saying,  "the 
Civil  War. ..stopped  ail  sectional 
rivalries, ...and  the  quarrels 
between  the  government  and  the 
states.". 

The  above  citations  prove 
that  some  of  the  high-school 
students  in  Greenville  County  are 
woefully  deficient  in  an 
understanding  of  Southern  History, 
(It  Is  important  to  note  that  it 
Is  usually  the  more  academically 


motivated  students  who  enter 
contests  such  as  this.)  This, 
however,  should  not  be  construed 
to  include  at  I  students.  There 
were,  In  fact,  several  very  well- 
written  and  we  I  I -researched 
papers. 

The  question  now  Is  what  can 
be  done  to  rectify  this  distortion 
in  the  minds  of  South  Carolina's 
school  children?  Mr,  Sullivan 
recommends  six  things.  1)  Start  an 
essay  contest  In  the  school 
district  covered  by  your  camp.  If 
every  camp  in  the  State  did  this 
we  cou  I  d  soon  have  a  state-w  I  da 
finals  competition.  2)  Visit  your 
county  and  school  libraries  to  see 
what  books  are  available  for  a 
student  to  use  as  sources.  Are  the 
subjects  balanced  and  accurate?  If 
gaps  are  found  start  a  program  In 
your  camp  to  donate  the  necessary 
books.  3)  Do  the  libraries  have 
subscriptions  to  the  Southern 
Partisan?  If  not,  donate 
subscriptions.  4)  Examine  the 
textbooks  used  by  the  schools  in 
your  area  and  how  they  recount 
Southern  History.  5)  Offer  to 
supply  members  of  your  camp 
(especially  any  re-enactors  who 
can  wear  their  uniforms)  to  speak 
to  history  classes.  And  finally, 
6)  Consider  sponsoring  a  Children 
of  the  Confederacy  chapter  in  your 
area. 

There  cannot  be  a  more 
important  battleground  for 
Southern  history  than  in  the 
classrooms  of  our  state.  It  is  not 
enough  to  rave  at  the  Ignorance 
and  villainy  of  the  studios  of 
Hollywood  and  at  the  publishing 
houses  of  New  York  If  the  next 
generation  cannot  recognize  their 
own  history. 


The  ukmeM  o£  thiA  yeaA&  eMoy  can&At  and  Mt.  StrfZixxw.. 


(KERSHAW  continued) 
cams  in  contact.  There  were  many 
men  in  Camden  who  deserve'!  high 
praise.  Kershaw  was  never 
stinting  of  his  praise  of  others. 
There,  in  the  same  Court  House  in 
which  he  practiced  Law  and  sat  as 
Judge,  he  would  want  the  same 
praise  for  Generals  James  Chesnut 
Jr.,  Cantey,  Oeas,  Vlllepigue,  and 
especially  Kennedy,  each  of  whom 
had  his  own  distinguished  career. 

The  following  Is  quoted  from 
Douglas  Southhall  Freeman's  Lee's 
Lieutenants:  "This  South  Carolina 
lawyer  J.  B.  Kershaw  continues  to 
display  aptitude  In  command  and, 
at  a  time  when  the  First  Corps  is 
str[fe-riven,  he  keeps  his  poise 
and  the  good  opinions  of  his 
comrades.  The  fatal  spring  of 
1364  which  finds  him  a  Major 
General,  brings  him  many  hours  of 
high  hazard.  Kershaw  passes  thru 
them  all  as  If  they  were  the 
unvexing  incidents  of  a  quiet 
life.  Even  in  the  hour  when  his 
troops  are  surrounded,  he  loses 
none  of  his  dignity.  Behind  that 
dignity  is  character,  in  the 
molding  of  which  RELIGION  has 
first  place," 


Financial  Statement  for  the  Period  Ending 
March  31,  1986 


Bank  Balance  1  March  1985 
Deposits  as  of  31  March  1986 


51,296.69 
3,991.49 


$5,288.18 

Expenses 

Palmetto  Partisan 

$1 

,834.48 

Stationery 

335.78 

Books 

393.06 

Newspaper  Advertising 

55.50 

State  Convention 

139.68 

Postage,  Permit,  &  Phone  Calls 

200.79 

Membership  Applications 

22.00 

T-Shirts 

277.77 

Typevriter  &  Ribbon 

333.85 

Checks  &  Check  Book 

41.06 

Contribution  -  Hurricane  Damage  to 

100.00 

Beauvolr 

S3, 733.97 

Bank  Balance  31  March  1986 

$1,554.21 

Notes 

Income  wtu  inom  hate,  oi  hook*  and  T-ihAJutt,  and  &nom  State.  du<u 
oa  teMuUzd  by  the.  campi . 

Tht  Ex.zcu.tive.  Commlttt-i  approved,  the.  puxthaie.  oi  a  typeunuXteji 
iot  the.  esUXon  oi  the.  PALMETTO  PARTISAN.  Thx*  uiai  a  *.e.condjLUone.d 
typewuAteA. 

The  poitaqe.  peAmlt.  oi  SO. 00  uxu  to  the  U.S.    PoitoHlnz  ion  a 
bulk  rncuU.  peAmlt. 


* 


By   Louis  Douglas  deLoach 
Grandson   of    J.   B.    Kershaw 


SONS  OF  CONFEDERATE  VETERANS 
THE  PALMETTO  PARTISAN 

c/o  Bill  Cross,  Editor 
2  Lady  Marion  Lane 
Greenville,  SC  29607 


NONPROFIT  ORG. 
U.S.  POSTAGE 

PAID 

GREENVILLE,  SC 
PERMIT  NO.  1489 


"